12 Great Ways to Make Money in College

College can seem like a giant contradiction at times. On one hand you are trying to get really good grades and study for what feels like more hours than you have available in a single day. But university life is also the first time you are on your own as an adult. And that means that rent, food, and other bills that have got to get paid. So with as little trouble as possible, how are you supposed to find ways to make money in college that won’t compromise both?

Looking for Good Ways to Make Money in College:

Even though this may be the first time you’re trying to make money while focusing on something else, it certainly won’t be the last. All throughout your career you’re going to be faced with juggling life and other activities in addition to your career. And some of those other activities may wind up being big passive income opportunities that make you very wealthy some day.

But that’s for later on. Here and now, you’re at university and you need some cash!

I think the main thing to keep in mind while you’re trying to make money at college is to find any work you can do that is flexible. Your studies are the most important thing because they are what will lead to your degree and ultimately earning way more income. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer or starve. There are still plenty of ways to make money in college that don’t involve your full attention or every ounce of energy.

Here are a few you can start on right away.

1. Part-Time Job:

A part time job is the classic way to earn money while you’re college. But where you can make this work for you is to make it as easy or beneficial to you as possible. Get something on campus or within walking distance to where you live. If you’re especially strategic, you’ll pick something that meshes well with your major and will look good on your resume later when you graduate.

2. Mystery Shopper:

Do you like to shop? Believe it or not you could get paid for it. Market research companies need people to shop at certain locations and evaluate the performance of the establishment. That way they will know how to improve their service.

3. Give Blood:

Although it’s not a lot of money, giving blood (or plasma) is always one of the easiest ways to make money in college. Your body is always making more! Plus not only will you be potentially helping others, but it is always in high demand.

4. Sell Things on the Internet:

When you’re done with your books, notes, or even your lab supplies, sell them over the internet. Use well known sites like Amazon, eBay, or Craig’s List.

5. Tutor:

Who doesn’t need help with math or physics every now and again? If you know a subject well enough to explain it and have a good sense of patience, then you could earn some good money helping others with their studies.

6. Play Music:

College towns are full of good places to go and listen to music. But for that to happen, they need talented people who can perform well. If you know how to play and/or sing, then you could make upwards of a few hundred dollars per show. That’s not bad for only a few hours worth of work.

7. Stock Photography:

Just like how you are probably going on the internet looking for good photos to use in your projects, there are professionals doing the same thing for their own pursuits. Upload your photos to a site like iStockPhoto.com and make a little money off your photography skills by licensing them as stock images. Each time someone does, your revenue will add up.

8. Sell Your tickets:

Almost all universities offer a discount to their students for sporting events. So even if you don’t plan to go (or don’t even care about sports), you could still buy the tickets only to sell them later on a website like Stubhub.com. Depending on the demand, you could make as much as 10x what you paid for them!

9. Help People Move:

Who wouldn’t want a couple of young, spry gentlemen to help them move around heavy furniture and boxes. The popular TV show Shark Tank featured a business called College Hunks that was built around the business model of young, strong college men helping people to move.

10. Cash Back Programs:

Just starting to use a credit card? Make sure it’s one that rewards you for every purchase you make. Even if you get 5% cash back, just think of how much you’d make for simply using it to purchase your books or even your tuition. Here are 3 rewards credits cards that I personally use for just about every purchase.

Flying somewhere for spring break? Make sure you sign-up for a great airlines loyalty program so you can start earning some valuable points. Check out our top 5 suggestions here.

11. Blogging:

Believe it or not, a lot of profitable bloggers and website builders are nothing more than young adults in college. Don’t believe me? Check out the story of young Tung Tran who built a niche website and sold it 6 months later making $12,000! Plenty of other ones have figured out how to easily publish their thoughts, build an audience, and then attract advertisers who will be willing to pay them real money for placing ads on their site. Not only can you start a free site using WordPress or Blogger, but you can also sign up for free advertising using services like Google Adsense or Amazon Affiliates.

12.Freelance Writing:

You’ve already got to write for essays and reports. So why not make some money while you’re at it? Freelance writing has become one of the most popular ways to make money in college because it’s very easy to acquire jobs. All you need to do is simply log on to a site like oDesk or Elance and apply for several jobs at a time. In no time you could be earning a few hundred dollars per week depending on how many projects you have time for.

Archives

Archives

Your paycheck isn't the only way to make money! Check out our extensive list of great passive income ideas to start making cash on the side right away.

Great Passive Income Ideas is for entertainment and reference purposes only. The information presented is the opinion of the author only and should not be interpreted as specific advice or recommendations towards your financial situation. Always consult with a true professional before making any financial decisions.

Affiliate Disclaimer: Great Passive Income Ideas may be compensated for our personal opinions, reviews, and affiliate relationships with some of the featured products and services. Google Adsense, Amazon Associates, and Clickbank are examples of such relationships. Such content, advertising space or posts may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content. All offers or claims are subject to change without notice and should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.